Book Review: Hidden

Hidden (Firelight #3)

By: Sophie Jordan

Published By: HarperTeen

Publication Date: September 11, 2012

Page Count: 272

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher

Audience: Young Adult - Fantasy

I absolutely adored this book! I read the first two in the Firelight trilogy in the same day, and I devoured Hidden at the same speed. It is written so well... the action had me on the edge of my seat, the calm moments were just the right kind of quiet and the romance made me melt. I found that the narrative flowed so easily for me; I read this in about 5 hours with very little effort.

 

Hidden picks up immediately after the events at the end of Vanish when Miram, Cassian’s sister, was captured. Jacinda, Will, Cassian and Tamra plan a daring rescue operation which involves Jacinda going straight into the lair of their most feared enemy. She faces her fears, and horrific experimentation, to find Miram and convince her to trust in their plan, even though no one has ever escaped before. Little do they both realize that even escape won’t be enough. The pace never really relents for long, despite quieter moments where Jacinda gets the chance to reflect on the choices she has to make. Who does she belong with? Will, the Hunter who makes her head swim with every touch - even though he isn’t a Draki like her, or Cassian, her gorgeous official bonded mate who quite literally knows how she feels? The protective feelings I had towards Will during Vanish reared their heads again this time, and once more I felt that he was threatened by Jacinda’s relationship with Cassian... just the perfect amount to keep me on tender hooks and keep the pages flying by. I think this YA book really benefits from Sophie Jordan’s romance writing as even simple moments between characters were very seductive; I could have purred!

 

Not only was the romance just pitch perfect, but the elements of vengeance within the plot were also crafted beautifully. Jacinda gets a glimpse of what happened to her father, who disappeared early on in her life, and in the hunt for his betrayer something dreadful and shocking happens which really finishes off the cross-country chase in fine style.

 

Jacinda is a strong character, with a healthy set of morals and a fiercely independent streak. She is considerate of others, merciful and a great role model for impressionable readers. She makes mistakes, but she works hard to correct them. Tamra also sees some really interesting character development during Hidden, which was pleasing to see as she came into her own as a Draki. She is the proverbial ugly duckling... initially unwanted and useless to the pride, but really becoming their most valuable asset by the end. It was very empowering reading her story arc. All the characters saw some kind of development though really, and that added to the strong sense of moving forward that came with reading Hidden.

 

What I really appreciated is that the ending of the book seemed utterly appropriate for the series. Nothing happened that I felt was out of place, and when I finally closed Hidden I felt a sense of peace, that this fantastic trilogy had ended as it should have, and I can really look upon it as being my favourite series of books. At no time in the series did I feel let down by the pace, or the characters choices; there was no dip in quality and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to eager readers of the paranormal genre. I just love these dragons!

Summary: 

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.